Study: Strength Training Reduces Neck Pain in Office Workers

A study has found ways
to reduce repetitive strain injury caused by office work. There are several specific exercises that can help women suffering
from trapezius myalgia.

Repetitive strain injuries are common in the workplace and
they are becoming increasingly common.

A recent Danish study found that more than half of female office
employees reported neck pain, and more than two-thirds of female office workers who reported neck pain suffered from
trapezius myalgia.

Trapezius myalgia is a tenderness and tightness in the
trapezius. The trapezius is a large muscle that extends from the back of the head down the neck and into the upper
back.

The study found that 5 strength exercises - the one-arm row, shoulder
abduction, shoulder elevation, reverse fly and upright row – substantially can reduce perceived pain. The women who were
unable to activate the muscle benefited from doing the exercises.

The study sample consisted of 52 women
who worked in an office environment and did tasks that required repetitive tasks and required computer work. The length of
the study was 10 weeks.

The women had chronic of frequent pain in the neck area, and tightness and tenderness of
the upper trapezius muscle.

The researchers divided up the women into three groups:
Women who received specific strength training (5 exercises),women who engaged in general fitness
training, and women who did not engage in physical activity but received counseling on ergonomics, diet, health, relaxation,
and stress management.

Women from all three groups did shoulder abductions before the study began
and after it ended.

The study found significant changes in the strength-training
group. Women in this group had reduced pain levels by more than 50%.

Researchers believe the strength training reduced the pain and helped the body’s ability to activate the trapezius
muscle.